Box handling apparatus



Oct. 9, 1956 B, B, McEN-nRE 2,765,826

BOX HANDLING APPARATUS 'R if a ATTE! R N SYS Oct. 9, 1956 B. B. MGENTIRE 2,765,826

Box HANDLING APPARATUS Filed April 12, 1955 4 sheets-sheet 2 m. l INVENTOR.

Rayne/HB. .McEnz're ATTE! R N EYS Oct. 9, 1956 B. B. MGENTIRE BOX HANDLING APPARATUS 4 sheets-sheet s INVENTOR.

Barn e345. ./cEn tire BY mmy@ Filed April 12. 1955 kuh.

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Get. 9, 1956 B. B. McENTlRE BOX HANDLING APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed April 12, 1955 Ni N ATTDRN EYE This invention relates to a material handling machine or apparatus, and more particularly to an apparatus for handling boxes during the construction or fabrication thereof.

The object of the invention is to provide an apparatus which is adapted to be used in the construction of boxes such as boxes made of wood, whereby large unwieldy boxes can be readily handled and put together.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus which will facilitate the construction of boxes such as large wooden boxes used in holding caskets or the like, the present invention permitting the top and bottom as well as the sides to be readily nailed or otherwise fastened to the ends of the box, and whereby rollers are provided for facilitating the movement of the box o of the apparatus after the box has been assembled.

A further object of the invention is to provide a box handling apparatus which is extremely simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this application, and in which like numerals are used to designate like parts throughout the same:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of the box handling apparatus of the present invention, illustrating the ends of the box in place on the apparatus.

Figure 2 is a top plan View of the box handling apparatus.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3 3 of Figure 2 and showing a partially completed box thereon.

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3, but showing the box supporting rollers in raised or shifted position, and illustrating in dotted lines the movement of the box from the apparatus.

Figure 5 is an end elevational view of the apparatus with a box thereon.

Figure 6 is a sectional View taken on the line 6 6 of Figure 2 and illustrating the tilting or shifting of a partially completed box.

Figure 7 is a transverse sectional view taken through the apparatus, and showing a box thereon.

Figure 8 is another transverse sectional view taken through the apparatus and showing a box thereon.

Figure 9 is a transverse fragmentary sectional view taken through the apparatus and illustrating the mechanism for aligning or helping to grip the partially completed box.

Figure l0 is a fragmentary plan view illustrating the gear connection between the shafts and the gripping elements actuated by the shafts.

Figure 11 is a fragmentary elevational view illustrating the means for adjusting the length of the link.

Figure 12 is a view similar to Figure ll but showing the parts in assembled position.

Figure 13 is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating a modied arrangement of gripping lingers.

, parallel gripping fingers 29 are secured to each Figure 14 is a sectional view taken on the line 14-14 of Figure 4.

Figure 15 is a fragmentary perspective View, with parts broken away and in section, showing certain of the box gripping elements.

Referring in detail to the drawings, the numeral 10 designates each of a pair of spaced parallel horizontally disposed I-beams, and each of the I-beams 10 includes a vertical wall 11 and top and bottom walls or flangesv 12 and 14, Figure 7. Extending transversely between the pair of I-beams 10 and secured thereto in any suitable manner, as for example by means of welding, is a pair of channel members 15.

Secured to one of the beams 10 adjacent the top wall and near each end thereof is a bracket 16, and the bracket 16 may be supported by clips 1'7 of L-shaped construction. Bearings 18 extend upwardly from the brackets 16, and a rst shaft 19 is supported by the bearings 18. A pair of rollers 20 are mounted on the shaft 19, and these rollers 20 may be keyed or otherwise secured to the shafts.

The numeral 21 designates a box such as a wooden box for holding a casket, which is to be constructed, and the box 21 includes spaced parallel side walls 23 and 24, end walls 22, and top and bottom walls 25 and 26.

A means is provided for gripping the end walls 22 during the fabrication of the box, and this means comprises a pair of crankshafts 27 which may each be provided with a handle 2S. The crankshafts 27 may be journaled in the channel members 15, Figure 3. Spaced crankshaft 27, so that by moving the fingers 29 to the raised position shown in Figure 3, the end walls 22 can be firmly held in place whereby the top or bottom of the box can be nailed or otherwisesecured in place.

In the event that additional space is required at the end of the apparatus, a shelf 30 is available, and the shelf 30 is hingedly connected to one of the channel members 15 by means of a hinge 31. A bar 32 has one end pivotally connected to the shelf by means of a pin 36, and the bar 32 is provided with a cutout in its free end which defines a shoulder 33 for engagement with a pin 34 whereby the shelf 311 can be maintained immobile in its extended or horizontal position. A rod 35 extends outwardly from the bar 32 and the rod 35 serves as a handle so that the bar 32 can be moved to clear the member 34 as when the shelf 30 is to be folded or pivoted downward.

A means is provided for increasing the effective width of the apparatus, as for example when larger boxes are being assembled. This means comprises support members 37 which are secured between the beams 10, Figure 3. The pair of support members 37 may have a U-shape, and an arm 38 which is also of U-shape, is slidably mounted on each support member 37. Guide members 39 are provided for maintaining the arms 38 in their proper aligned position on the support members 37. A crosspiece 40 extends between the outer ends of the arms 38, and handles 41 are secured to the crosspiece 40. Thus, by gripping the handles 41 the arms 38 can be extended so as to provide additional working space at the side of the apparatus. Gripping elements 42 may be secured to the crosspiece 41B so that when the arms 33 are extended, the elements 42 will help support larger boxes. A plurality of teeth or notches 43 may be provided in the arms 38 for engagement with a surface of one of the beams 1t) whereby the arms 38 will be maintained im mobile in their adjusted positions.

Iournaled between the pair of beams 10 is a first, second and third rod 44, 45 and 46, Figure 4. A foot pedal 47 has one end connected to the rod 44, and aA Patented Oct. 9, 1956y stop block 48 is secured to the outer lower portion of the foot pedal 47 so as to prevent the foot pedal 47 from accidentally coming down on the operators other foot. An ear 49 extends upwardly from the inner end of the foot pedal 47 and is secured thereto, and the upper end of the ear 49 is pivotally connected toa link 50 by means of a pivot pin S1. U-shaped bars 52 and S3 are secured to the rods 45 and 46.

As shown in Figures ll and l2, the effective length of the link S can be varied or adjusted as desired. Thus, the link S includes a plurality of sections 54 which are provided with inner threaded sockets 55 for receiving therein the ends of a threaded bolt 5.6, and a nut 57 may be secured to each bolt 56 for rotating the bolt.

A pin 58 serves to connect the bar 52 to the link 50, and a similar pin 59 connects the bar 53 to the rear end of the link 50. A coil spring 60 has one end connected to the pin S9, while the other end of the coil spring 60 may be arranged in engagement with a lug 61 which is mounted on a rod 62.

A means is provided for helping to maintain the box in its proper position as it is being constructed or assembled, and this means comprises a pair of rotary shafts 63 and 64 which are journaled to one side at one end of the apparatus at right angles with respect to each other, Figure l0. A bevel gear 65 on the end of the shaft 63 meshes with a bevel gear 66 on the end of the shaft .64 so that these shafts will rotate yin unison. Lugs or fingers 67 are secured to the shaft 6 3, and similar lugs or fingers 68 are secured to the other shaft 64. Thus, upon rotation of these shafts in the proper direction, these lugs 67 and 68 will move up into engagement with the box to thereby help hold it in place.

A means is provided for actuating or rotating these shafts, and this means comprises a lever 69 which extends through a cutout 72 in one of the beams 10, Figure 7, and the outer portion 70 of the lever 69 is adapted to be engaged by the persons foot so as to depress the lever 69. Linkage 71 connects the lever 69 to the shaft 63. Thus, by depressing the outer portion 70 of the lever 69, the shaft 63 can be rotated and this in turn will cause rotation of the shaft 64 through the mediumy of the intermeshing gears 65 and 66. A bolt 73 extends through an opening in the inner end of the lever 69, and a coil spring 74 is circurnposed on the bolt 73 and abuts the lever 69, there being a trip or bracket '75 secured to the beam adjacent the bolt 73, and the bolt 73 also engages the bracket 7S.

A bar or ratchet 76 is provided for maintaining the lever 69 in its depressed position, and the bar 76 is provided with a plurality of teeth 77 which are adapted to engage a projection on the lever 69 formed by a cutout 78. However, the ratchet 76 can be moved readily as when the lever 69 is to be returned to its nor-mal position.

A roller 79 is journaled in bearings 80 which extend upwardly from the U-shaped bar 53, Figure 4, and a similar roller Sil is journaled in bearings 82 which extend upwardly from the other U-shaped bar 52, Figure 4. A roller S3 is arranged transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis of the apparatus, and the roller S3 is arranged adjacent an end of the beams so as to facilitate the unloading or removal of the finished box from the apparatus as indicated by the dotted lines in Figure 4.

Referring to Figure 13 of the drawings there is shown a modified arrangement of gripping lingers 84 which can be used in lieu of the gripping iingers 29. Thus, the gripping lingers 84 can bc mounted on a crankshaft 85 which can have a threaded portion 86, and a spacer sleeve 37 is interposed between the lingers 84, there being nuts 8S arranged on the threaded portion 86 for maintaining the parts in their proper assembled position.

From the foregoing it is apparent that there has been provided an apparatus which will facilitate the construction for fabrication of boxes such as wooden boxes which can be used for shipping caskets or the like. In use the cranks 27 can be manually rotated by means of the handles 28 whereby the fingers 29 will move from a horizontal position to a vertical position as shown in Figure 3 so that the end walls 22 will be gripped therebetween. Then, the top or bottom 25 can be extended across the end walls 22 and secured thereto as by nailing. Then, the partially completed box can be turned over and the sides 23 and 24 and top or bottom can then be nailed in place to complete the box. In order to facilitate movement of the box off of the apparatus, the rollers 79 and 81 can be raised from the position shown in Figure 3 to the position shown in Figure .4 by depressing the foot pedal 47. Thus, when the foot pedal 47 is depressed the link will be moved to thereby pivot the bars S2 and 53 and this raises the rollers 79 and 81. When pressure on the foot pedal 47 is released, the coil spring 66 will return the parts from the position shown in Figure 4 back to the position shown in Figure 3, The end roller 33 permits the box 21 to be readily rolled off of the end of the apparatus. The rollers 20 facilitate the tilting of the box as shown in Figure 6 so that the sides or other parts of the box can be readily nailed thereon. Furthermore, when the box is being constructed, the lever 69 can be depressed by placing the foot on the projecting end portion 70 and this causes the linkage 71 to pivot the fingers 67 through the medium of the shaft 63. As the shaft 63 rotates it will rotate the shaft 64 so that the lingers 68 will also be moved upwardly and these lingers 67 and 68 will serve to help hold and maintain the partially completed box in placer. The teeth 77 on the ratchet 76 will retain the lever 69 in its depressed position until the ratchet is released. The shelf 36 can be supported in a horizontal position as shown in Figure 3 so that an additional working space is p rovided on the end of the apparatus. Furthermore, by extending the arms 38 as shown in Figure 6, additional working space is provided at the side of the apparatus as when larger boxes are being handled or constructed. The teeth 43 serve to lock the arms 38 in ,their adjusted position, and the fingers 42 may receive portions of the partially completed box when necessary. Instead Vof using the fingers 29, the fingers 84 shown in Figure 13 can be used and the crankshaft 86 can be operated by means of a suitable handle. The gripping elements 42 may coact with the fingers 29 to help hold the parts of the box in place.

With the present invention, an increased Vquantity or number of large boxes can be readily assembled and such boxes can be fabricated with a minimum expenditure of labor and effort. The apparatus includes a frame which embodies the two I-beams 10 which are connected together by the two channel irons 15 and this construction provides a iirrn foundation so that large boxes can lbe nailed without damaging the framework as when there are heavy vibrations. Initially the ends 22 of the box are Vheld between the lingers 29 and after the iirst side l23 or 24 is nailed to the ends, the box is tilted as shown in Figure 6 and the rollers 20 facilitate this tilting movement. Then, the partially completed box is guided into place and the other sides of the box are nailed thereon. The box slides on the rollers 29 as it moves. By means of the foot pedal 47, the rollers 79 and 81 are raised so that it is not necessary to manually lift the heavy box. Then, the box can be rolled off of the roller 83 and this arrangement permits a worker to push the box on a suitable trailer without the necessity of lifting the box. The block 48 below the foot pedal 47 prevents accidental injury from the foot lever 47 accidentally contactingthe workmans other foot. The tension spring returns the rollers 79 and S1 from the position shown in Figure 4 to the position shown in Figure 3 when pressure on the pedal 47 is released. The construction of the link 50 shown in Figures ll and l2 permits the length of the link to be adjusted whereby the amount of movement of the rollers 79 and 81 can be varied as desired. The shelf 30l permits long boxes to be handled, and the arm 32 serves to hold the shelf in its horizontal position. The extensible arms 38 permit wide boxes to be handled. The arms 3S can be extended by means of the handles 41. The notches or teeth 43 are adapted to engage a suitable recess in the adjacent I-beam 10. The fingers 29 may be secured as by welding to the crankshaft 27. The arrangement shown in Figure 13 permits the distance between the fingers 84 to be varied by using different sizes of spacer members 87.

By pressing on the foot pedal 70, the box can be properly aligned since the fingers or lugs 67 will pull the side of the box against the rollers 2G and at the same time the fingers 68 will engage the end of the box. This pressure holds the box straight and in its proper aligned position so that the bottom of the box can be nailed on. By kicking the member 76 slightly, the foot pedal 'iti can be readily released. There is further provided brace which extends between the pair of I-beams. There will be no interference between the moving parts during use of the present invention and the making or production of large shipping boxes such as those used to ship caskets in will be facilitated.

I claim:

l. ln a box handling apparatus, a pair of spaced parallel -beams each including a vertically disposed wall and horizontally disposed top and bottom walls, a pair of spaced parallel horizontally disposed channel members extending between said beams and secured thereto, a crankshaft rotatably connected to each of said channel members, a plurality of spaced parallel fingers secured to each of said crankshafts, a rst horizontally disposed shaft journaled adjacent the upper end of one of said beams, a first pair of spaced apart rollers mounted on said rst shaft, first, second and third spaced parallel rods journaled between said pair of beams, a foot pedal connected to said iirst rod, an ear extending upwardly from said foot pedal, U-shaped bars connected to said second and third rods, a roller journaled on the upper end of each of said bars, a link having one end pivotally connected to said ear and said link being connected to said bars, a coil spring connected to said link for urging said rollers to their lowered position.

2. The structure as defined in claim 1, wherien said link is adjustable in length.

3. In a box handling apparatus, a pair of spaced parallel I-beams each including a vertically disposed wall and horizontally disposed top and bottom walls, a pair of spaced parallel horizontally disposed channel members extending between said beams and secured thereto, a crankshaft rotatably connected to each of said channel members, a plurality of spaced parallel fingers secured to each of said crankshafts, a first horizontally disposed shaft journaled adjacent the upper end of one of said beams, a rst pair of spaced apart rollers mounted on said rst shaft, rst, second and third spaced parallel rods journaled between said pair of beams, a foot pedal connected to said first rod, an ear extending upwardly from said foot pedal, U-shaped bars connected to said second and third rods, a roller journaled on the upper end of each of said bars, a link having one end pivotally connected to said ear and said link being connected to said bars, a coil spring connected to said link for urging said rollers to their lowered position, a stop block secured to the lower surface of said foot pedal, said link being adjustable in length, an extension shelf hingedly connected to one of said channel members, means for maintaining said shelf in its raised position, a roller journaled transversely between the ends of said beams, and box holding means comprising a second and third shaft arranged at right angles with respect to each other and journaled on said beams, a plurality of spaced parallel box engaging lugs extending upwardly from said second and third shafts and secured thereto, a movable lever extending through one of said beams, bevel gears interconnecting said second and third shafts together, and linkage connecting said lever to said second shaft.

4. The structure as dened in claim 3, and further including extensible means for increasing the width of said apparatus, said extensible means comprising a pair of spaced parallel U-shaped support members extending between said beams and secured thereto, a U-shaped arm slidably mounted on each of said support members, a crosspiece extending between said arms, and handles connected to said crosspiece.

5. In a box handling apparatus, a pair of beams each including a vertically disposed wall and top and bottom walls, a pair of channel members extending between said beams and secured thereto, a crankshaft rotatably connected to each of said channel members, a plurality of fingers secured to each of said crankshafts, a rst shaft journaled adjacent the upper end of one of said beams, a first pair of rollers mounted on said first shaft, first, second and third rods journaled between said pair of beams, a foot pedal connected to said first rod, an ear extending upwardly from said foot pedal, bars connected to said second and third rods, a roller journaled on each of said bars, a link having one end pivotally connected to said ear and said link being connected to said bars, a coil spring connected to said link for urging said rollers to their lowered position.

References Cited inthe le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 103,347 Lepp May 24, 1870 841,613 Bassford Jan. 15, 1907 1,326,809 Twiss Dec. 30, 1919 1,812,863 Combs et al. July 7, 1931 1,938,548 Tautz Dec. 5, 1933 2,322,368 Lacey June 22, 1943 2,662,565 Le Vay Dec. 15, 1953 

